Why Does Verano Sell Less Than Excelle?

[ColtonMarie]

Verano sells less than Excelle for the following reasons: Verano was once recalled: From October 20, 2018, more than 500,000 Verano hatchback and sedan models were recalled. The reason for the recall is not hard to guess—it was due to quality issues. The official statement at the time was: the recalled vehicles were equipped with front suspension lower control arm bushings that could deform or dislodge under significant external force impact, potentially leading to loss of vehicle control in extreme cases, posing a safety hazard, hence the recall. Verano has a high complaint rate: Complaints mainly focus on issues such as transmission noise, jerking, engine noise, and lower control arm failures. Verano not only has slow acceleration, but its dual-clutch transmission also exhibits severe jerking at low speeds, which improves only after speed increases. However, road noise then becomes noticeable, and there are also numerous interior rattles. Verano uses a three-cylinder engine: It is equipped with a three-cylinder engine, a choice that consumers find hard to accept. After all, many people still have deep reservations about three-cylinder engines, and the inherent vibration issues of three-cylinder engines have not been completely resolved, making many consumers feel it’s not worth the cost. Additionally, the new Verano sedan version exclusively uses a three-cylinder engine across all trims, which undoubtedly discourages potential buyers.

[LeJackson]

It's quite interesting that the Verano can't outsell the Excelle. I often see discussions about this in car owner groups. The Excelle's pricing strategy is particularly clever—its entry-level model is directly priced in the 70,000 to 80,000 yuan range, and it frequently runs promotions with free maintenance services, which easily wins over budget-conscious buyers. The Verano is half a tier above, but the extra 20,000 to 30,000 yuan for features like LED headlights and leather seats aren't must-haves for average families. The auto repair shop owner downstairs told me he services over a dozen Excelle cars monthly, while the Verano only shows up once every three or four months—the difference in ownership is huge. Buick often pitches the Verano against the Civic, but it ends up stuck in an awkward middle ground. Honestly, buyers in this price range prioritize affordability and durability, and the Excelle nails these demands perfectly.

[GageLee]

I recently compared these two models when helping my cousin pick a car, and found that the Excelle's popularity is no coincidence. The Verano's 1.5T engine is slightly more powerful, but in city driving, the difference with the Excelle's 1.5L is negligible, while fuel consumption is half a liter higher. The key factor is resale value - checking used car data shows a 3-year-old Excelle retains about 60% of its value, while the Verano drops to just over 50%. Five Excelle owners in my neighborhood reported no major issues, whereas Verano drivers frequently complain about laggy infotainment systems and overly sensitive auto start-stop. Buick's marketing strategy is also problematic, as they focus advertising resources on B-segment cars like the Regal, leaving the Verano with very low exposure. For budget-conscious buyers, reliability and cost-effectiveness are what truly matter.

[Calvin]

As a former owner of the Buick Excelle for three years, I think the positioning of the Buick Verano is problematic. The extended wheelbase actually makes the body appear bulky, and parallel parking isn't as agile as the Excelle. It's loaded with flashy features like automatic parking, which you rarely use in reality. The core issue lies in the engine - the Verano's brief stint with a three-cylinder engine ruined its reputation, and even switching back to a four-cylinder couldn't fully recover it. In our car owner circles, we jokingly say buying one is a gamble. In contrast, the Excelle hasn't undergone major changes for years, parts are everywhere, and replacing a bumper costs over 400 yuan less than the Verano. When young people buy their first car, salespeople mainly recommend the Excelle because the monthly payment is 500 yuan less, making it much more affordable.

[JohnnyLynn]

From a marketing strategy perspective, Buick has confused the target audiences for the Verano and Excelle. The Excelle clearly targets family users in third- and fourth-tier cities, with dealerships filled with base models and sales pitches focused solely on low fuel consumption and affordable maintenance. The Verano is positioned for young white-collar workers, yet its design lacks sportiness, and its LCD screen size can't compete with domestic brands, leaving it stuck in an awkward middle ground. I remember helping a friend negotiate prices last year—the Excelle had a direct discount of 42,000 yuan, while the Verano only offered 35,000 yuan, a difference enough to cover two years of insurance. There's also a hidden issue: car rental companies favor the Excelle for fleet operations, and its high street visibility naturally boosts sales. If the Verano wants a turnaround, it really needs to learn from the success of the Sylphy.